Making a batch of DIY boogie wipes is a great way to save money when your baby is sick. It’s a simple way to alleviate your child’s pain without spending a ton of money on specialty boogie wipes. I’ve made my own for years and will never buy the store bought version again.
Boogie Wipes are magical
Someone gave us a huge container of Boogie Wipes for Robert’s baby shower. One cold was enough for me to realize that these little wipes are worth their weight in gold. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of gold so I knew I had to figure out a way to make my own DIY boogie wipes since these packages can cost up to $8 a pop. If you don’t have the time or desire to make these yourself, I definitely suggest picking up a package of Boogie Wipes. They are soft enough to keep little noses from getting irritated from the constant booger wiping.
I’m not the first to make my own Boogie Wipes
Jillee, at One Good Thing has this pretty cool tutorial on making cloth boogie wipes. While I love cloth and use cloth diapers as well as cloth napkins, I wasn’t ready to give up some of my cloth napkins for boogie wipes. Plus, I love that the disposable wipes are super soft.
I use study paper towels to get a pretty similar version to the store bought Boogie Wipes. I’ve used Viva paper towels for years. They are definitely worth the splurge!
I tweaked Jillee’s recipe a lot and ended up with something totally different from her tutorial, but very close to the original Boogie Wipes. I think that as long as you have the right amount of saline solution and vitamin E in the wipes you should be pretty good and end up with some nice DIY boogie wipes.
DIY Boogie Wipes Recipe
- 2 cups of water
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. coconut oil
- 5 drops of doTerra Breathe essential oil (same as what I used in my DIY Vick’s Vapor Rub).
- 5 drops of vitamin E oil
- 1 roll of Viva paper towels or other sturdy paper towels
- old wipe canister for storage
- Use a bread knife to cut the roll of paper towels in two. Remove the cardboard roll. It is difficult and messy, but totally works if you keep at it!
- Boil water and add salt, stir to dissolve and remove from heat.
- Add the oils and stir.
- Let cool to room temperature.
- Put the paper towels in the old wipe canister and cover with your saline solution. My roll of paper towels was too thick to fit in the canister so I took off a few and put in a Ziploc bag for traveling.
*Note that there is baking soda in the picture. My batch with baking soda ended up with a funky smell and I found that I liked it better without the baking soda. I should take these pictures all over again, but that’s not going to happen with a one year old. I only get one shot at these photo shoots.
Skip the wipes and use a boogie wipe saline spray!
You can use this as a spray instead of wipes. Pour the saline solution into a spray bottle and spray onto a paper towel or handkerchief before blowing your nose. It works like a charm.
How long do the DIY Boogie Wipes last?
Things mold pretty fast here in Florida so I wasn’t sure how long these would stay fresh, even with the vitamin E as a preservative. I’m happy to report that each batch I’ve ever made has lasted over a month. By the end of the month we have run out of them.
How do you deal with a runny nose? Please share any and all tips!
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Just out of curiosity.. I made this without the essential oils. Was yours greasy looking in the pot? I don’t want to pour it on the paper towel and ruin it.
It is pretty greasy! I think that is what makes it feel so smooth and nice on a raw nose. I’m not sure how this would work on another brand of paper towels, but the Viva held up really well.
I’m currently traveling and had to buy boogie wipes. I bought the unscented but I’d like to add lavender to make it soothing for my little guy. Any idea if this would work adding it to premade wipes?
Absolutely! I like to add the Breath oils from DoTerra. I just add a few drops into the mixture. You can do the same with lavender!
Tip for removing the cardboard roll. Pour on the liquid and let it soften the cardboard. Once it is saturated you simply lift it out.
Genius! Thank you so much!